Social Construction of Identity & Evolved Traits

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Questions and Answers

How does being a student shape aspects of your identity?

Being a student involves societal expectations related to academic achievement and time management, influencing both self-perception and social interactions.

What does the concept of intersectionality signify in terms of social identity?

Intersectionality signifies that various aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and class, interconnect and influence unique life experiences.

What barriers prevent individuals with social privilege from recognizing systemic inequity?

Barriers include denial, lack of exposure to marginalized experiences, and cognitive dissonance, which can create a misleading perception of fairness.

Summarize Darwin's view on the relatedness of all living organisms.

Darwin proposed that all living organisms share a common ancestor and that diversity results from natural selection acting on heritable traits. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of natural selection and explain its significance.

The peppered moth illustrates natural selection; during the Industrial Revolution, darker moths were favored due to better camouflage against soot-covered trees. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception does the 'March of Progress' image present about evolution?

It implies a linear progression from apes to humans, suggesting humans are the pinnacle of evolution, which misrepresents the branching nature of evolutionary processes. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how social identity can change over time.

Social identity can change as individuals transition through different life stages, such as shifting from identifying as a student to a professional. Signup and view all the answers

How can individuals with privilege gain perspective on systemic inequity?

They can seek diverse viewpoints, educate themselves about systemic issues, and engage in meaningful dialogues with marginalized communities. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Royal Proclamation of 1763 recognize regarding Indigenous land rights?

It recognized Indigenous land rights and established protocols for land negotiations. Signup and view all the answers

How did residential schools violate the Two Row Wampum Treaty?

They aimed to assimilate Indigenous children, erasing their cultural identities, which contradicts the treaty's promise of mutual respect. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'We Are All Treaty People' imply about settlers and Indigenous peoples in Canada?

It implies that all people, Indigenous and settlers, are bound by treaties that require mutual respect and responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of a revenue-neutral carbon tax.

A revenue-neutral carbon tax raises fossil fuel prices while returning the proceeds to the public through rebates. Signup and view all the answers

List one policy decision that could help reduce climate change.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources. Signup and view all the answers

How can playing music contribute to a meaningful life?

Playing music can provide coherence through self-expression, purpose through mastering an instrument, and significance through connection with others. Signup and view all the answers

What did Viktor Frankl identify as sources of meaning, even in difficult circumstances?

Frankl identified love, creative work, and an individual's attitude toward suffering as sources of meaning. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social identity is formed by societal norms, expectations, and cultural influences.
Examples include academic achievement, time management, and collaboration, all expected of a student.
Social identity is both intersectional and fluid, meaning it is made up of various aspects (race, gender, class) and can change over time.
Identity can vary greatly due to socioeconomic status, such as the contrast for a wealthy woman versus a working-class woman.
It is difficult for those with privilege to recognize systemic inequities as privilege creates a normalized advantage, leading to denial, lack of exposure to marginalized experiences, and cognitive dissonance.

Module 8: Evolved Traits

Darwin proposed all living things share a common ancestor.
Diversity of life resulted from natural selection acting on heritable traits.
Natural selection enables organisms to adapt to their environments over generations.
The peppered moth, in the Industrial Revolution, demonstrates natural selection through darker moths surviving in a soot-filled environment.
The "March of Progress" image is a misconception because it displays linear progression from apes to humans—evolution is not linear, but in a branching pattern. There are many hominin species that coexisted.

Module 9: Colonization Road

The Royal Proclamation of 1763 recognized Indigenous land rights, establishing protocols for negotiations.
Residential schools aimed to assimilate Indigenous children through changing languages, indoctrinating religion, and causing abuse. This violated the Two Row Wampum Treaty which promised mutual respect.
Settlers perpetuate colonization by benefiting from Indigenous lands. The statement "We Are All Treaty People" means everyone in Canada is bound by treaties, demanding mutual respect and responsibility.

Module 11: Meaningful Life

Hobbies like playing music offer joy, connection, and accomplishment.
Coherence, purpose, and significance are key aspects for a meaningful life.
Coherence is understanding how life events connect, purpose is pursuing long term goals, and significance is feeling life matters.
Frankl emphasized inner freedom (to choose one's response) as essential to purpose, even in the worst of circumstances.

Module 12: Happiness

Impact bias overestimates the effect of future events on happiness. For example, a bad grade may seem catastrophic now, but the emotional impact may be less significant than anticipated later.
Purpose is a driver of behavior, helping adapt to changing circumstances.
Using knowledge of impact bias helps prioritize decisions based on long-term values rather than temporary emotions. This is illustrated by choosing meaningful work over higher pay, but less fulfilling jobs.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts in Modules 7 and 8 related to the social construction of identity and evolved traits. Understand how societal norms shape identity and recognize the role of natural selection in the diversity of life. Engage with examples that highlight intersectionality, privilege, and adaptation in species.